Sore Throat | How To Get Rid Of A Sore Throat (2019)

Sore throat remedies. This video is on home remedies, medicine, causes and treatment to get rid of a sore throat fast.

Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better by themselves within a week.

I've received a lot of messages to make a video on sore throat remedies and treatments. Which makes sense as I guess it's that time of the year. Hope my tips help! Remain positive and keep on being amazing - Happy New Year Everyone!

SORE THROAT SYMPTOMS:
Sore throat (pharyngitis) is very common. It is usually caused by an infection in the throat. Soreness ins the throat may be the only symptom. In addition, you may also have:

• A hoarse voice.
• A mild cough.
• A high temperature (fever).
• A headache.
• A feeling of wanting to be sick (nausea).
• Tiredness.
• Swollen glands in your neck.
• Pain when you swallow.

SORE THROAT CAUSES:
Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (like cold or flu) or from smoking. Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria.

SORE THROAT TREATMENT:
To help soothe a sore throat and shorten how long it lasts you can:

• For sore throats the first things I nearly always advise to patients is to gargle warm salty water because it’s actually really effective, inexpensive and everyone can do it at home. Gargling warm salty water helps soothe the throat and reduce inflammation. Just dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of part cooled boiled water and gargle. It’s important not to swallow the salt water which its not suitable for children.

• Have enough fluids to avoid dehydration, I know it’s tempting not to drink much especially when it’s painful to swallow. But you can quite easily become dehydrated when your not well and may have a high temperature. Becoming dehydrated can make headaches and tiredness much worse and can even slow down recovery time. So aim for 6-8 glasses a day and try to avoid drinking hot drinks as they can actually make the sore throat pain worst.

• Eat cool or soft foods
• Avoid smoking or smoky places
• Suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets – but don't give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking
• Rest

• Paracetamol and ibuprofen, these pain killers are great at reducing sore throat pain and also reducing a fever. To keep sore throat symptoms at a minimum it’s best to take a dose at regular intervals as directed by your pharmacist or on the medication packet.
• Medicated lozenges containing local anaesthetics like benzocaine, hexylresorcinol or an anti inflammatory like flurbiprofen. Have also shown some evidence to reduce sore throat pain by a small amount, these can be used alongside paracetamol too.

As always with all medication always read the information leaflet and speak to your pharmacist to make sure you are suitable to take it.

WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR:
See a GP if:
• Your sore throat doesn't improve after a week
• You often get sore throats
• You're worried about your sore throat
• You have a sore throat and a very high temperature, or you feel hot and shivery
• You have a weakened immune system – for example, because of diabetes or chemotherapy
• A severe or long-lasting sore throat could be something like strep throat (a bacterial throat infection)

For more information on when to see your doctor please visit to following links:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/
https://patient.info/health/sore-throat-2/features/when-to-worry-about-a-sore-throat

Want to see more videos about everything health and pharmacy? Let me know in the comments below. Subscribe for new videos ▶https://www.youtube.com/c/AbrahamThePharmacist

I'm a British - Persian - Iranian prescribing media pharmacist who loves science, making videos and helping people. I work in both GP surgeries and community pharmacy.

DISCLAIMER:
This video is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Abraham The Pharmacist has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Always consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.